[Super Duper Fantastic] ISFP/INFP. 4w5. World Explorer. Super Hero. Rose-colored Glasses.

My fondest memories of Spain are from the time spent in the Andalucía region, and it all started in its capital – Sevilla. We took a cheap flight down from Barcelona [YAY - Vueling!], hopped on the bus to the Santa Justa Station, then took another bus to the city center. For our short stint in Sevilla [3 days, 2 nights], we stayed with Marga [Hospitality Club] and Norbert. Such nice folks, and a very cute apartment.

We arrived in the evening, so it was really two days of actual time spent seeing the sights. The first night, Marga and Norbert took us out for a walk/drink. While the heat during the day was pretty unbearable, the evenings were perfect for a stroll. Not too hot, definitely not cold.

Some of the spots we visited during the first actual day: the Cathedral, Alcazar, Jewish Quarter, and also Plaza de España! Donna and I went to the Cathedral and Alcazar on our own, but Marga met up with us after that and made visiting the other sites a LOT easier. No map necessary!

[1] [2]

The Cathedral of Sevilla is the final resting place of Christopher Columbus. It occupies the former site of a mosque, which seems to be pretty common in this part of Spain. Moorish/Arab influence in the past that ends up being taken over… at least it wasn’t completely destroyed, just taken over and incorporated. [1] and [2] Outside of the Cathedral.

[3] [4]

La Giralda is a minaret tower, originally intended for the chief mosque, but now the bell tower of the Cathedral and symbol of Seville. We climbed up the 34 ramps for a view of the city. [3] View from on top of the tower. [4] This is the view from INSIDE the tower.

[5] [6]

[5] and [6] Inside the Real Alcázar – the palace.

[7] [8]

[7] and [8] Plaza de España – this is the site of the Spanish pavilion from the 1929 exhibition. Very neat tile art that represents each region of Spain. It was used as Naboo in Star Wars Episode II. How’s that for a random fact? Standing next to the columns, we look TINY.

[9] [10]

Here are some shots taken with Marga. [9] was taken in the Jewish Quarter – small alleys that we can stretch out our arms and reach both buildings. It’s known as Barrio Santa Cruz and wasn’t too far from the Cathedral, so after we were done with both the Cathedral and Palace, Marga came to meet us to take us around. [10] Marga in a fountain, filling up her water bottle. Apparently you can drink from the fountains. Personally thought it tasted a little funky, but it’s an idea. She asked us to watch for cops!

[11] [12]

[11] and [12] At the flamenco show! Afterwards, Donna and I walked across the river to Triana for late night eats. Of course, we were forewarned not to go to any place with no prices listed as it’s often the site of tourist traps. So we wandered for quite some time before we found a place! Ordering food was always such a chore because we had to yell over people in Spanish. So yeah, took awhile to get the food even once we found the place. It was great though, and in the end, the guy behind the counter wanted to give us some of the dishes free, but I was lame and didn’t realize it. I just kept telling him that his math sucked.

And the trip would not be complete without a jumping photo. This was taken on the roof of Marga’s apartment building. I had to take the photo, so I’m not in it.

More photos: Sevilla – June 2007

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